theft of lost or mislaid property juvenile Defense Atlanta

Theft Charges | Shoplifting Charges | Criminal Defense Atlanta

If you have been charged with a theft charge, the most important first step is securing a strong defense attorney for your case

In most jurisdictions, theft is defined as the wrongful taking and carrying away of the personal goods or property of others. Examples of theft would include but not limited to stealing items from a department store, taking property from another person, or even taking money from person. Theft is a serious felony that can carry severe penalties.

Providing criminal defense is something I take very seriously. I know I am holding a person’s future in my hands.

Shoplifting – Larceny Criminal Defense

Shoplifting is a type of theft, also known as larceny.

If you have been accused of shoplifting, or have been contacted by the police but have not yet been charged with theft, CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY.

It is possible in some circumstances that we may be able to prevent charges from being filed against you. Time is crucial in these cases and the sooner we are able to get involved the better your chances of avoiding shoplifting charges will be.

We have been able to prevent theft charges in many cases by ensuring a solution to the situation that needn’t involve a courtroom.

Theft crimes typically leave only financial losses which can be easily recouped or repaid.

It is often in the victim’s best interest to solve the matter out of court. If the accused is put in jail it makes it difficult for restitution to occur and recouping losses is the most important part of resolving the issue..

At the Edward Adams Law Firm, we are dedicated to protecting and defending the rights of our clients and pursue positive results. We have successfully represented numerous shoplifting criminal cases throughout Georgia and have earned an excellent reputation.

As an Atlanta criminal defense attorney, I will examine the charges against you and create a strong and aggressive defense.

The goal is to have the charges completely dismissed or reduced.

I offer a free case evaluation please go to the page and provide me with the information about your case so I can help you.

Theft Defined Under Georgia Law

Theft can occur in a variety of ways under Georgia law. The most common type of theft involves theft by taking, which Georgia statute defines as occurring when a person “unlawfully takes or, being in lawful possession thereof, unlawfully appropriates any property of another with the intention of depriving him of the property, regardless of the manner in which property is taken or appropriated.” (Georgia Code § 16-8-2.)

Georgia law also provides for several other types of theft, including:

theft by deception (§ 16-8-3.)

theft by conversion (§ 16-8-4.)

theft of services (§ 16-8-5.)

theft of lost or mislaid property (§ 16-8-7.)

theft by receiving property stolen in another state (§ 16-8-8.)

theft by bringing stolen property into the state (§ 16-8-9.)

theft by shoplifting (§ 16-8-14.), and

theft by extortion (§ 16-8-16.).

Shoplifting in Georgia

A shoplifting offense will result in a misdemeanor conviction in the state of Georgia where the value of the shoplifted property is $500 or less.

However, a shoplifting offense will constitute a felony under Georgia law if:

the value of the shoplifted property is more than $300, or

the property is stolen from three separate stores in the same county within a seven-day period, and the property that is the subject of each theft is worth at least $100. (§ 16-8-14.)

For an offender’s second shoplifting offense, the court will impose a fine of at least $250, either in addition to or instead of a sentence of imprisonment.

Upon a third shoplifting offense in Georgia, an offender willl receive a sentence of imprisonment of 30 days, or an alternative sentence of confinement, such as home detention, for a period of 120 days, and may be ordered to receive psychological evaluation or treatment at the offender’s expense.

Upon a fourth or subsequent shoplifting offense, the offender shall receive a sentence of imprisonment of at least one year, which is non-suspendable, and a maximum of ten years. (§ 16-8-14.)

If YOU HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF A CRIME BUT HAS NOT YET BEEN CHARGED, CALL US IMMEDIATELY. WE MAY BE ABLE TO PREVENT THE FILING OF FORMAL CHARGES.